Rifat's killing: 3 accused remanded

A Barguna court yesterday placed two suspects in Rifat Sharif murder case on a seven-day remand while another on a two-day remand.

Magistrate Md Rasel of Judicial Magistrate Court issued the remand order after police produced the three accused – Chandon, Hasan, Najmul Hasan, -- before it.

Of them, Chandon and Hasan were placed on a seven-day remand while Najmul Hasan on a two-day remand, Advocate Golam Mostafa Qader, a lawyer of Barguna lawyers association, told our Patuakhali correspondent.

Md Humayun Kabir, investigation officer (IO) of the case and also officer-in-charge (inquiry) of Barguna Police Station, produced the arrestees before the court with a 10-day remand prayer for accused Chandon, Hasan and a five-day for Najmul Hasan.

However, the two prime accused -- Sabbir Hossain Nayan and Rifat Farajee -- are still at large.

Police have identified 13 people involved in the killing of Rifat in broad daylight in Barguna and issued red alert at all international airports, and land and river ports across the country to prevent them from fleeing.

Around 10:30am on Wednesday, Nayan and Farajee attacked 25-year-old Rifat, who used to provide internet service, with sharp weapons in front of Barguna Government College when Rifat and his wife Ayesha Siddika Minni were leaving the college premises.

A video clip of the barbaric attack on Rifart, probably captured on a mobile phone, went viral on social media, touching off a firestorm of public outrage with many condemning the bystanders for not coming forward to save Rifat. Ayesha alone desperately tried to save her husband from the attackers in vain.

The clip showed that the duo was hacking Rifat indiscriminately as Ayesha was trying to hold back one of the attackers.

Fatally injured Rifat was taken to Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead at 3:30pm.

The doctors found at least eight stab marks in different parts of his body.

Abdul Halim Dulal Sharif, father of Rifat, filed the murder case with the police station accusing 12 on Wednesday night.

Another suspect held in Patuakhali

Police today arrested a youth from Patuakhali in connection with the killing of Rifat Sharif in broad daylight in Barguna.

The arrestee was identified as Saimon, 22, son of Kawsar Mia of Jaharbigha village in Barguna Sadar upazila, said Abul Basar, officer-in-charge of Barguna’s Amtali police Station. 

Saimon is a close friend of Rabbi Akon, who is the six no accused of Rifat murder case, the OC said.

Tipped off, a team of Amtali police Station arrested Saimon from girl’s high school road in Patuakhali town last night, he said.